Cheadle Park

Standing atop this modest rise just outside Stoke-on-Trent, you'll find yourself wondering if calling it a 'peak' is perhaps overselling things a bit. Cheadle Park offers gentle elevated views across the Staffordshire countryside, but don't expect dramatic vistas or challenging scrambles.

Families with young children will appreciate the easy terrain - it's accessible enough for pushchairs and perfectly manageable for little legs. Dog walkers make up most of the regular visitors, taking advantage of the open grassland and well-worn paths. The summit itself feels more like a pleasant hilltop park than a proper peak, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if you're after a stress-free outing.

What strikes you most is the sense of space after the urban sprawl of nearby Stoke-on-Trent. On clear days, you can pick out the rolling hills that mark the edge of the Peak District proper, though the immediate surroundings remain decidedly suburban. It's free to wander as you please, and an hour or so covers the main walking routes comfortably.

For those staying at nearby sites like Hales Hall or Springfields Countryside, it makes a decent leg-stretcher rather than a destination in itself. Worth the short drive if you fancy some fresh air, but don't plan your entire holiday around it.